Search results for "levetiracetam"

Effects on executive functions of antiepileptic monotherapy in pediatric age.

2020

Abstract Objectives Cognitive abilities and executive functions in children and adolescents are important indicators of quality of life as well as academic and social achievements. Cognitive and executive functioning are often impaired in patients with epilepsy and can be exacerbated by seizures and antiseizure drugs. The aim of our observational retrospective study was to assess executive functioning in patients with pediatric epilepsy, currently taking a single antiseizure medication. Materials and methods Records of 172 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years (mean age = 12 ± 3.4 years) with newly diagnosed epilepsy who had not yet commenced an antiepileptic treatment were i…

The safety and efficacy of add-on levetiracetam in elderly patients with focal epilepsy: A one-year observational study

2011

Abstract Purpose The long-term safety and efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) was evaluated as add-on therapy in focal epilepsy patients ( n =491) aged at least 65 years who failed at least one monotherapy. Methods Patients ( n =491) with focal epilepsy treated with at least one antiepileptic drug in monotherapy with insufficient seizure control were included in this prospective open-label study. The recommended LEV dose range was 1000–3000mgperday. Follow-up visits were done approximately after 3, 6 and 12 months. Safety and efficacy was analysed based on all patients who received LEV (safety population, n =491) and all patients who were seen at all visits and completed the trial (per protocol…

Short-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Term Neonates Treated with Phenobarbital versus Levetiracetam: A Single-Center Experience

2019

Background. Phenobarbital (PB) has been traditionally used as the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures. More recently, levetiracetam (LEV) has been increasingly used as a promising newer antiepileptic medication for treatment of seizures in neonates. Objectives. The aim of our study was to compare the effect of PB vs. LEV on short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in infants treated for neonatal seizures. Method. This randomized, one-blind prospective study was conducted on term neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of S. Bambino Hospital, University Hospital “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele,” Catania, Italy, from February 2016 to February 2018. Thirty term neonates with s…

Cognitive profile in BECTS treated with levetiracetam: A 2-year follow-up

2019

Introduction: Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common epileptic syndrome in childhood, characterized by brief and infrequent partial motor seizures, with or without generalization and mostly recurring during sleep. Because of its favorable efficacy, tolerability, and safety profile, levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy is often administered in these patients. Long-term effects of LEV therapy and its influence on cognitive functions remain controversial.Purpose: This evaluated the changes in the cognitive profile of children with BECTS treated with LEV monotherapy for 2 years, compared with a control group of children with specific learning disabilities.Method: Our patient …

West syndrome followed by juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: a coincidental occurrence?

2013

Background: West syndrome is an age-dependent epilepsy with onset peak in the first year of life whose aetiology may be symptomatic or cryptogenic. Long-term cognitive and neurological prognosis is usually poor and seizure outcome is also variable. Over the past two decades a few patients with favourable cognitive outcome and with total recovery from seizures were identified among the cryptogenic group suggesting an idiopathic aetiology. Recent research has described two children with idiopathic WS who later developed a childhood absence epilepsy. Case presentation: We reviewed the medical records of patients with West syndrome admitted to the our Child Neuropsychiatry Unit in the last 15 y…

A randomized, double-blind comparison of antiepileptic drug treatment in the elderly with new-onset focal epilepsy.

2015

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of controlled-released carbamazepine (CR-CBZ) to levetiracetam (LEV) and to lamotrigine (LTG) in elderly patients with newlydiagnosedfocalepilepsy.Methods: Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial conducted between January2007andAugust2011,in47ambulatoryorhospitalsitesinGermany,Austria,orSwit-zerland. Eligible participants were aged ≥60, had new-onset epilepsy, had no acute ill-nessasthecauseoftheirseizures,andhadnocontraindicationtothedrugsinthetrial.Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to CR-CBZ, LTG, or LEV. Doses were up-titrated for6 weeks and could be maintained or adjusted depending on seizure relapse or tolera-bility over an additional period …

Levetiracetam in Neonatal Seizures as First-line Treatment: A Prospective Study

2017

Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) as first-line treatment of neonatal seizures. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in patients of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Santo Bambino Hospital, University of Catania, Italy, from January to August 2016. A total of 16 neonates with convulsions not associated with major syndromes, which required anticonvulsant therapy, were included and underwent IV LEV at standard doses. Results: All patients responded to treatment, with a variety range of seizure resolution period (from 24 h to 15 days; mean hours: 96 ± 110.95). No patient required a second anticonvulsant therapy. Regar…

Efficacy of levetiracetam in the treatment of drug-resistant Rett Syndrome.

2010

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of phenotypes. Epilepsy is reported to occur in 50–90% of patients with RTT; some develop medically refractory epilepsy. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) in drug-resistant patients with RTT. This prospective, pragmatic, open-label study consisted of an 8-week baseline period and a 6-month evaluation period. Efficacy variable was the mean frequency of monthly seizures before, and after 3 and 6 months of treatment with LEV. Eight female patients, aged 7.5–19 years (M12.8 ± 5) entered the study. Mean age at epilepsy onset was 25.8 ± 14.1 months. All patients sh…

Levetiracetam in the treatment of vascular chorea: a case report

2004

Neue Antiepileptika in der Entwicklung. Substanzen mit neuen Wirkmechanismen

2007

Unbestritten ist, dass sich durch den Einsatz von Antiepileptika der 2. Generation die Situation fur Epilepsiepatienten entscheidend verbessert hat. Dennoch bleibt ein Patientenklientel, bei dem keine ausreichende Anfallskontrolle erreicht wird, das therapierefraktar ist oder im Verlauf der Behandlung wird. Weiterentwicklungen von AEDs aus der 2. Generation (“follow-up compounds”) bzw. Wirkstoffe mit neuen Strukturen und Wirkmechanismen konnten zukunftig diese Lucke fullen.